Fair Work Week Laws

In May 2017, New York City passed legislation dubbed the Fair Workweek Law which created rules that addressed the scheduling practices of retail and fast food employers. Those rules went into effect in November of 2017. Similar ordinances have or are being proposed in Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. These ordinances mandate a minimum notice of schedule and restrict the ability to schedule someone for shifts which are back to back. The ordinances have penalties (paid to the employee) in place when not given timely notice of the shift and when an employee works back to back.

The premise behind these laws is that it allows workers to more easily manage other work options, family obligations and school by having a more reliable schedule. Many fast food and retailers believe this is administratively onerous given the nature of the industry and will have a negative effect on offering employees by discouraging employers offering extra shifts and causing businesses to operate short staffed.

Wherever your opinion rests, stay on the lookout for these type of law to be proposed in your state.